Method of treating nitro bodies in shells.



UNIT, STTES PATNT OFFICE.

CHRISTIAN EMIL BICHEL, OF HAMBURG, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR T0 E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS POWDER COMPANY, 0F WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

METHOD OF TREATING NITRO BODIES IN SHELLS.

Application filed July 30, 1910. Serial No. 574,688.

To all whom #may concern:

Be it known that I, CHRISTIAN EMiL BICHEL, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Hamburg, Germany, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Methods of Treating Nitro Bodies in Shells, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part `of this specification.

My invention relates to that class of explosives formed of fusible nitro bodies and in which a higher degree 0f density is imparted by means of compressed air; Vhen using such an explosive as a charge for bursting shells for guns itis of importance that the formation of dust between the explosive charge and the paste board shell or paste board cover, caused by the breaking off of small particles of the nitro bodies, be prevented. It is therefore desired that the paste board shell tightly surrounds the explosive in such a manner that on knocking against the finished explosive in the shell a hollon7 sound is not produced. Under ordinary circumstances, when pouring, even under pressure, the explosive into the shell which is thoroughly dry, the dampness of the atmosphere, .e., the absorption of a small amount of moistureoif the paste board.

shell, is sufcient to expand the shell to such an extent that at some places the explosive does not adhere to the shell in which the explosive is contained.

The object of my invention is to overcome this and also prevent the possibility of the formation of dust between the paste board shell andthe explosive, for instance, during transportation. I accomplish this by l a novel method of llingthe shell with the explosive and a novel apparatus for carrying out the same. This method consists in slightly expanding the shell by the cornpressed air used 4in loading the shell. As the explosive is chilled, the elasticity of the expanded shell causes it to contract so that when the explosive `is entirely chilled the shell still maintains close and tight contact with its inclosed explosive.

, My method may be carried out by the apparatus disclosed in the accompanying drawing and in the following manner.

In the drawings: Figure l represents a vertical section of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is an exaggerated view showing the shell containing explosive showing non-adherence of explosive. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the shell treated by my process.-

a is the mold, b'the shell which in its normal condition is slightly smaller than the mold cavity in which it is placed. The air for providing pressure to the charge passes through the passage c' which ends through the mold cover d and an orifice in the shell-shaped washer e. Between this washer e and the inside of the upper border of the paste board shell b may be placed the elastic seal f.

The mold a is provided with the jacket c' having the inlet It and outlet Through this inlet h is passed a chilling medium which circulates in the jacket z' and passes outI through the outlet The operation is as follows: With the' shell in the mold and the cover d moved downward by the screw or threaded portion g, air pressure is prevented from entering except into the interior of the shell. The action of the air pressure causes the shell to expand, and the chilling medium sets the explosive under pressure in such close contact with the shell that no space is left between the explosive and the shell. The shell thus being under tension, will counteract any tendency of the shell to expand.

In Fig. 2 is shown, in an exaggerated condition, a shell as ordinarily lled with the explosive showing the non-adherence of the explosive to the shell.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated a shell filled with an' explosive subjected to air pressure and chilling.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent isz- 1. The hereinbefore described method of l 6. The h ereinbeforev'described method of4 treating nitro bodies in' shells,l which consists in causing air pressure to act upon the inside of the shell surrounding the same, said air pressure being .suflicient to cause the. shell body to expand, and setting said explosive When under pressure.

- plosive when under pressure.

7. The hereinbefore described method of treating nitro bodies in shells, Which conjsists in causing air pressure to act upon the lnside of the shell surrounding the same,

said air pressure being suicient to cause the shell body to expand, and setting said shell body Wheinfunderv ressure.

8. The hereinbetore described method of treating-nitro bodies in shells; Which consists in causing airipressure to act upon Vthe vinside of the shell surrounding the sangle,

said air pressure being suiicientto'causethe shell body to expand, and chilling'said ex- In testimony of which invention, I have hereunto set my handv at Hamburg, on this 11th day of July, 1910.

CHRISTIAN EMIL BICI-IEL.

Witnesses:

MAX WEBER, ERNEST I-I.I L. MUMMENHOFF. 

